Voting occurring for 2012 Perennial Plant of the Year

Members of the Perennial Plant Association have until Oct. 9, 2010, to make their selection from 4 plants for the 2012 Perennial Plant of the Year. The plants which were nominated by association members include:
1. Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’ is a tall ornamental switchgrass that has one of the best vertical forms of any switchgrass currently available. Olive-green to bluish-green foliage forms a narrow, erect, 4- to 5-foot tall clump that is topped in late summer by finely-textured, yellow flower panicles. The panicles typically bring the total height to 6 feet. The plant prefers full sun and moist fertile soil, but tolerates sandy or clay soils or dry slopes. USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9.
2. Chelone lyonii ‘Hot Lips’ is a long-blooming perennial that thrives in moist conditions. It has bronze-green foliage that turns a deeper green than the species, but is equally as showy. Short spikes of rose-pink flowers appear in late summer. The upright, red stems provide additional interest throughout the season. USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 7.
3. Heuchera ‘Caramel’ is a vigorous, clump-forming plant with apricot colored foliage and light pink flowers. Partly derived from the Southeast U.S. native, Heuchera villosa, ‘Caramel’ is tolerant of heat and humidity. It reaches 15 inches tall and 20 inches wide. USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 8.
4. Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ produces distinctive silvery white leaves with green primary and secondary veins with a thin green rim on the leaf edges. It reaches 12-15 inches tall and wide. In mid- to late spring, baby blue, forget-me-not-like flowers rise above the foliage on slender stems. USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 8.
The 2011 Perennial Plant of the Year is Amsonia hubrichtii (Arkansas blue star).

Pictured: Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’ is one of four plants that members of the Perennial Plant Association can vote for 2012 Perennial Plant of the Year.
Photo courtesy of North Creek Nurseries